Fachpack 2024: GEA presents new thermoforming packaging machine for SMEs

Under the motto RE:THINK PACKAGING, GEA will present the latest machine and control technology for the food sector at Fachpack in Nuremberg (Germany) from September 24 to 26 (Hall 7A/Stand 563).

The focus will be on the new PowerPak 1000 thermoformer for the packaging of meat and meat substitutes, poultry or cheese, which has been specially developed as an entry-level machine for the thermoforming segment and offers advanced functions previously reserved for machines in a high performance range.

“We are delighted to be able to introduce the PowerPak 1000 to a wider audience. With this machine, we can now help smaller companies improve the efficiency of their packaging processes and increase their output, offering them our many years of expertise and flexible service,” says Stefan Runkel, product manager thermoforming at GEA Food Application Solutions.

For companies looking to move away from traditional methods such as vacuum chamber machines or traysealers to increase capacity and flexibility, the new GEA solution offers many other benefits, such as flexibility in pack size or reduced plastic consumption.

The PowerPak 1000 can produce vacuum, MAP or skin packs to meet a wide range of product and packaging requirements, allowing customers to quickly adapt the machine to changing consumer needs. The new packaging machine can be seen and tested live at the GEA Technology and Application Center XLAB in Biedenkopf-Wallau, Germany.

Another highlight is the SmartPacker CX400 vertical pillow bag packaging machine. The packaging machine produces four different types of pouches for many different products such as frozen and fresh fruit, vegetables, potatoes or protein foods. This form-fill-seal model is designed for high capacity and maximum productivity. It processes bag widths between 55 mm and 400 mm and up to 120 bags per minute.

Other benefits include fast changeover of bag formats and film types in less than five minutes and sensitive detection of product in the seal. Hand-crafted forming shoulders with a high-tech composite surface ensure smooth over-the-shoulder film transport, even in humid or wet environments. The CX400’s Smart Sealing System can seal up to one million bags before the sealing strips need to be replaced. With the click-and-go device, this is done without long downtime and at maximum output.

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